Traveling and discovering new places shouldn’t be expensive. What’s more, it shouldn’t be expensive during post-pandemic times when most countries are just beginning to open their borders to tourists, and that’s why they still keep their prices at a more affordable level. You are also welcome to save even more with the help of dedicated mobile applications we will review in this article. Let’s uncover and use them for a better traveling experience on a budget.
1. Book the Best Flights
The cost of a flight usually takes a lion’s share of the traveler’s budget, especially if you are going to remote destinations. However, it doesn’t mean that discovering a remote destination should cost you a fortune. The same goes for less distant countries.
Use dedicated mobile apps to track, choose and book the best flights for your next trip. Most travelers prefer Kayak, SkyScanner, or Momondo to find the best deals. All these apps allow for choosing a random destination, finding the best deals at discounts, booking low-cost flights, creating a travel route, and getting instant notifications when the price for a chosen flight has changed.
Sometimes flights are cheaper depending on the country you are in, so it is a good idea to use a VPN to change your location.
2. Choose the Most Suitable Stay
Paying for accommodation is the next major expense travelers usually face. Experienced travelers often recommend avoiding booking a stay in advance, searching for the best suitable offer right on the spot. However, this is not the best tactic especially if you are visiting a certain country for the first time. Instead, use hotel booking mobile apps to find the best deal and compare the prices.
Booking is the most intuitive option, and it works well for tourists in love with proper planning. With its help, you can book several accommodations with free cancellation, and then, choose the most reasonable one.
Some travelers also prefer AirBnb. This is the best choice for tourists who need nothing more than a budget place to sleep. However, if you are on a tight budget but ready for adventures, consider CouchSurfing – and use the application of the same name to share a stay with locals for free or almost for free.
3. Save on Fuel Costs
Traveling by car is a good option to plan your route on your own and spend as much time in a certain place as you want. However, it comes with a significant downside. While gas-fueled cars can hardly be called eco-friendly transport, the fuel price can be pretty high depending on the destination. With the help of GasBuddy, you can find gas stations with the best prices. It also comes with a Tip Cost Calculator so that you can better plan your fuel spending depending on your car’s technical characteristics and travel route.
4. Plan and Track Your Travel Spendings
Planning and tracking your travel spending is essential for having a budget holiday instead of running out of a budget. Fortunately, you can do it with the help of a mobile app as well, so consider using TravelSpend for this purpose.
It allows you to add a location, and next, add your travel expenses either in cash or in card payments. You can also add photos of checks and bills to avoid missing something. The application automatically converts the foreign currency into your home one so that you can have a clear idea of your spending. It also comes with reporting and spending data visualization features.
5. Sign Up for The Best Excursions
When discovering a new place, it is always difficult to resist the temptation to visit all the famous places as a part of an excursion group to get better guidance and learn more about the country. However, depending on the location, such opportunities are usually costly.
But with the help of the GetYourGuide app, you can book tickets to the top attractions and join the excursions at a better cost. The application has great coverage, so with its help, you can access the ultimate list of activities and attractions in almost any destination. You can also read the reviews of those who already tried a certain offer, book last-minute tickets, and even use the app as a planner by adding the activities to your wishlist.
6. Protect Your Money
Protecting your money while traveling is as important as protecting your health. While you can easily solve the first problem with the help of a travel insurance company, dealing with the second issue isn’t more challenging as well.
To protect your cash, split the sum you have and hide small amounts in the inside pockets of your jacket and backpack. But to protect your bank account, make sure to always use VPN when making transactions using public Wi-Fi. For example, Norton VPN is free and works pretty well.
7. Track Covid Restrictions
The recent pandemic requires travelers to be even more careful with their health – and with planning their routes as well. Unfortunately, the current situation with Covid is far from being stable so some countries change their requirements for entry. Make sure to keep track of all the changes to avoid booking a flight to a closed or restricted country.
To keep pace with the recent updates, make sure to use the Travel.State.Gov website. For US citizens, it also allows for enrolling into their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and getting instant notifications if the situation in the country of your stay changes.
You are also welcome to consider App in the Air – an innovative flight booking app that allows for choosing the flights depending on the Covid safety measures taken on board.
8. Have a Better Meal at a Better Price
Most travelers on a budget prefer to shop at local groceries or markets, and these are the life-proven tactics on how to pay less for food. However, saving on a meal but still getting the best impressions is also possible with dedicated mobile apps. As for the most intuitive option, you can use Zomato to compare the prices in cafes and restaurants, spotting deep discounts.
But you should know there are more exciting options as well. For example, with the help of such apps as EatWith and TravelingSpoon, you can search for and book whole gastronomic adventures with locals. There are a lot of opportunities to cook a dish with local people to discover local cuisine and get such an experience firsthand. The prices for such entertainment are more than affordable.
Conclusion
While post-pandemic traveling shouldn’t be expensive and it can be more affordable with the help of the apps we have shared above, it still should be safe. Make sure to follow all the health safety rules for safe travel and the best experiences, regardless of the restrictions and pandemic-related challenges.
